Open Wilderness Literacy & Science Forest Microschool Class

 OWLS Community Agreements: Be Kind & Be Safe

Brooke’s Open Wilderness Literacy and Science (OWLS) forest microschool program was an alternative educational experience/outdoor learning pod for children ages 6-11 to connect, grow, and learn together in nature. 

Our mixed age group of diverse learners celebrated our unique interests and learning modalities. We enjoyed curating a kind and safe community to support our learning in connection with nature and each other. 

We supported our understanding and appreciations of difference. We cultivated the understanding that our brains and bodies are unique and that our age and interests can influence our learning. We noticed how we all learned and got support in different ways. We payed attention to how animals, plants, and fungi all have similar needs to grow. We also noticed how each may grow a bit differently depending on their conditions. When we noticed difficulties to thrive, we understood that we could tend to our environment and foster growth.

OWLS Sites, Program Days & Times

2022-2024 Locations:

• Camp Herms in El Cerrito (2-3 weeks a month)

• Tilden Nature Area (1 week a month)

• Joaquin Miller (1 week a year)

• Albany Bulb (1 week a year)

*$50 first visit day. **Siblings enrolled together were also eligible for a 5% discount. 

• Teacher/Grown Up to Student Ratio is 1:8. 

• Vaccinations are optional.

• We accepted school funds from Hickman, Connecting Waters Charter Schools, evouchers from Visions, and purchase orders from the Pacific Charter Institute: Valley View, Heritage Peak, Sutter Peak, and Rio Valley.

OWLS Outdoor Classroom

The outdoor classroom provides a multitude of opportunities to learn and grow in connection with each other and nature through hands-on engagement with our environment. We develop caring relationships as empathetic team members to facilitate independence and collaboration. Our natural experiences and studies inspire a love of learning and literature.

OWLS Curriculum

Brooke builds relationships with students to design units of inquiry and study. She documents their explorations through note taking and photographs. Each week, she puts together a community newsletter to share their investigations and discoveries with their families. This newsletter also includes updates, reminders and helpful links to community resources and events, as well as, homework assignments. 

She uses Next Generation Science Standards and California English Language Arts Standards to guide her lesson designs. Literacy & Science instruction is offered through guided reading, novel exploration, and interactive writing.

The curriculum and units of inquiry are inspired by nature! Literacy skills are practiced and strengthened alongside deep investigations into plants, animals, and fungi. Scientific knowledge is expanded upon through read alouds, shared reading, guided reading, novel exploration, and interactive writing that supports academic and social-emotional development.

OWLS Daily Schedule

Sample Daily Schedule: 

• 9 AM   Morning Drop Off/Check Ins, Hike, &  Snack/Sit Spot

• 10:30  Fire Prep (as needed/permitted)

• 11 AM Literacy & Science Explorations: Read Aloud, Shared, Guided, or Independent Reading and/or Writing

• 12 PM Lunch/Play/Choice Time

• 12:30 PM Literacy & Science, Outdoor Skills

• 12:50 PM Final meeting of the day: Roses, Buds, and Thorns

• 1:00 PM Pick Up

We always made sure to hike, explore and do one sit spot. Snack was always around 10:00 and lunch was always around noon with play time after.  We did up to an hour of literacy work and allot an hour to practice skills, although those were typically broken up into smaller chunks of time rather than in one solid hour. Adjustments were made based on weather, environment, and interest. 

OWLS Home Nature Connections

Homework was suggested to enrich our studies and allow students to develop independence, responsibility, and accountability. 

Daily: 

• Check the weather forecast!

• Students must check, wear, and pack their gear.

Weekly:

Add nature observations/adventures to their journal.

Science Studies

Animal Names

The Tradition of Animal Names, Coyote’s Guide To Connecting with Nature (2016), Nature Names pp.348-350

Animals are regarded as teachers that are recognized for the gifts they offer us. This association strengthens human-creature relationships, peer-to-peer mentoring, and empathy for wild creatures.

Trackers Micro School: Daria’s group: returning students Fall 2020: North American Mammals, Daria & Brooke’s groups: 2020: Birds of Camp Herms, Daria & Brooke’s groups: 2021: North American Reptiles

OWLS 2022: Insects

OWLS 2023: Mammals

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